Hasty Brook is the loveliest place in my world. It's a little piece of heaven in northern Minnesota.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Potholes and Prairie Birding Festival in Carington, North Dakota

I stopped in St. Paul to pick up birding friend Virginia and the at the airport for Katdoc and off we went. About seven hours and a few hundred miles later we arrived in Carrington, exhausted. Settle in, unpack, a bite to eat and off to bed to wait for our 4AM alarm. Kathi's trip was scheduled to leave at 430 and mine at 5AM. We were most happy to find that Wren was here at the festival too. This morning we headed out to tour the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge with guide Bill Thompson. Thw weather wasn't terrific- cold, windy with rain or drizzle most of the day but I am NOT complaining. The views were spectacular, the birding wonderful and the company was great.

We got several fabulous looks at Upland Sandpipers.

Western Grebes that were displaying.

We came upon a few pairs of Marbled Godwits throughout the day. They were not as happy to see us as we were to see them.

Common Snipe were uncommonly beautiful and easy to find.

We got to watch a bison heard cautiously move away and then break into a run.

It was like seeing a piece of history

I was honored.

I'm short on narritive tonight as I'm really tired. Julie Zickefoose spoke this afternoon and there is a picnic dinner and music this evening. Should be fun.

All told, I believe our group saw 78 species today and I got 16 life birds!!!

Lynne: I'm a bit jealous. I spent several weeks in North Dakota many years ago in early fall. I've never had the opoortunity to go back, but looking at your photos sure makes me wish I could. Thanks for sharing!

Sounds fabulous! Did you know that Arcata, CA, has an annual festival celebrating the Marbled Godwit? We saw many hundreds of them on our winter trip to northern California a year and a half ago. I love 'em! And American Avocets are the loveliest birds...

Hi Lynne, so good to hear from you and see what you're up to now. Impressive lifer list! And the buffalo - wow! Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and you found time to blog - even more impressive. Happy bird watching!

P.S. - Are there two Montanagirls? I see the first post is by Montanagirl, but I didn't write it (At least I don't remember writing it) (this is the first time I've been on your blog in awhile - ) But when I clicked on it, it took me right to my own blog. Hmmmm....